Category Archives: news analysis

Ford Motor Posts Q1 2026 Operating Net of $2.5B

Posted on 29 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“The path to higher margins is clear, and the first-quarter demonstrates those building blocks in action,” said Sherry House, the estimable Ford CFO. “The strength in the quarter reflects strong execution in our profit pillars, and we remain on track to deliver our full-year cost reductions. When combined with accretive recurring revenue from software and physical services and decisive actions to improve our EV performance, we are driving a fundamentally more profitable business, allocating capital with extreme discipline, protecting our balance sheet, and positioning Ford to deliver consistently higher returns.” Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Group Posts Q1 2026 Net of $234.5M

Posted on 29 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“In the first quarter of 2026, our business delivered over 126,000 retail automotive and commercial truck units, generated $7.9 billion in revenue and $323.7 million in earnings before taxes. During the quarter, we continued to demonstrate a flexible approach to capital allocation by completing the acquisition of two Lexus dealerships in the Orlando metropolitan area of Central Florida, increasing the dividend paid to stockholders by 1.4% and repurchasing 170,393 shares of common stock,” said Chair Roger Penske. Continue reading →

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Volvo Cars Q1 2026 Earnings per Share Rise

Posted on 29 April 2026 by Ken Zino

As with all global automakers, Volvo is  operating under a challenging external political environment, such as the President Trump’s Iranian war, tariffs, heavy competition, geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. Continue reading →

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GM Canada to Build Next-Generation Truck V8 Engines

Posted on 29 April 2026 by Ken Zino

General Motors Canada (NYSE: GM) said today that it is investing C$691 million in its St. Catharines Propulsion Plant to support production of the sixth generation of General Motors’ V8 engine, which will power GM full-size trucks and SUVs. Yesterday, GM reported strong sales and earnings for Q1 2026 bolstered in part by sales of such vehicles. Complicating GM’s global strategy is the Trump mis-administration’s repudiation of the successful North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and its subsequent revision proposed, promoted and signed by President Trump known in the U.S. as USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) Continue reading →

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IIHS – Drivers More Likely To Use Phones While Speeding

Posted on 28 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Drivers are more likely to use their phones while speeding, a tendency that increases crash risk by combining two dangerous behaviors, according to a new study released today by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.* “Until now, safety experts believed … Continue reading →

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GM Posts $2.6B Q1Net on $46.3B Revenue. Ups Guidance

Posted on 28 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“We have solid momentum in our core operations. We maintained overall sales leadership in the U.S. and Canada. We led the U.S. industry in full-size pickup sales and share, with 42% of the market, and we were #1 in Fleet, including Commercial deliveries. In addition, we were Number Two in EVs with growing market share, and Number One in Canada,” said CEO and Chair Mary Barra. Continue reading →

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NHRA Charlotte – Cobra Jet 2200 fastest EV in 1320 Feet

Posted on 27 April 2026 by Ken Zino

At the NHRA Charlotte competition this weekend, a Mustang Cobra Jet 2200 ran an ET of 6.76s with a top speed of 222 mph in the quarter mile, the fastest EV time. [Slower than Pro Stock – AutoCrat]. Reigning Top Fuel world champion Doug Kalitta shattered the track speed record in the final round en route to the win on Sunday at zMAX Dragway, beating a talent laden final quad of Shawn Langdon, Tony Stewart, and Leah Pruett at the 16th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals. Ron Capps (Funny Car), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won the fourth of 20 races during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Continue reading →

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Nissan Revises Full Fiscal-Year Profit Up to Loss of ¥550B

Posted on 27 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“The revision uplifts operating profit for fiscal year 2025 from the previously forecasted negative 60 billion yen to positive 50 billion yen. The improvement mainly reflects a one-time positive impact from changes to U.S. emissions regulations, along with ongoing cost reductions and favorable foreign exchange effects,” Nissan said. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Recalls for Brakes, Wheel Loss, Rollaways, Fires

Posted on 27 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~150,000 vehicles for a variety of safety defects involving brake failures wheels coming off, fires and rollaways. The largest recall involves  model year 2024-2026 Ranger pickup trucks. The sun visor or headliner wiring from a supplier (Versigent) can cause a fire inside the cab.

“A short in the power takeout for the right or left sun visor assembly may create heat or spark, resulting in fire in the A-pillar area. When a damaged wire creates a short to ground, heat or spark at this short may also cause smoke, burn, melt or fire. A driver may experience flickering or inoperative sun visor mirror lights and overhead console lights prior to a smoking, melting or fire event,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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GM First U.S. Automaker at 100% Renewable Electricity

Posted on 24 April 2026 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) said this week as part of Earth Day observances that in 2025 GM reached a major milestone. GM has secured enough renewable energy to match 100% of its electricity use across all its U.S. facilities — making GM the first U.S. automaker to reach this goal.

“Managing energy use isn’t just a checkbox for a corporate environmental report these days; it’s a business necessity,” said Cassandra Garber, chief sustainability officer at GM.
Continue reading →

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Hybrids Rule New EU Car Registrations in March and Q1 2026

Posted on 23 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“The market was supported by robust consumer activity bolstered by new and revised tax benefits and incentive schemes across major European countries,” ACEA said in a release. “Hybrid-electric vehicles lead as the most popular power type choice among buyers, while the battery-electric car market share reached 19.4%. Meanwhile, plug-in hybrids continued to strengthen their position, underlining the importance of a technology-neutral pathway to decarbonisation.”

Continue reading →

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VinFast Auto Posts March Sales of ~28,000 EVs

Posted on 22 April 2026 by Ken Zino

VinFast Auto (NASDAQ: VFS) in Hanoi today posted preliminary domestic Vietnam deliveries of 27,609 electric vehicles during March 2026, an increase of 127% year-over-year. For Q1 of 2026, the Company delivered a preliminary total of 53,684 EVs to customers in Vietnam.* [By global automaker standards this is roughly one final assembly plant on an annual basis – AutoCrat.] Continue reading →

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Acura to Enter IndyCar. “Pause” IMSA GTP

Posted on 22 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Well, the paddock rumors were accurate – or should AutoInformed say Acura-it? Marcus Armstrong’s Honda-powered IndyCar will carry Acura branding in the 2026 Indianapolis 500, the Acura’s first appearance on the Indy 500 grid. Moreover, Acura will “pause” the IMSA GTP program following 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. This move to the NTT IndyCar Series keeps the Acura name in motorsports of course. It also, perhaps, adds a complication to the viability of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, if other brands do likewise. Continue reading →

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April 2026 Light Vehicle Production Forecast Drops Globally!

Posted on 21 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“The global auto industry’s near-term outlook is heavily influenced by the ongoing conflict in Iran, with the Strait of Hormuz now expected to remain closed through April, leading to higher oil prices and increased volatility. These conditions are raising manufacturing and logistics costs, putting pressure on vehicle demand and production,” said Mike Wall, Executive Director, Automotive Analysis, S&P Global Mobility yesterday.

“April’s forecast update includes downward revisions across most regions, especially Middle East/Iran and China, as the industry adjusts to persistent geopolitical and macroeconomic challenges. Elevated energy costs, inflation, and supply chain instability are the main factors affecting the industry,” said Wall. “Alternative scenarios, including a severe oil shock, are still being considered due to the risk of extended disruption.” Continue reading →

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First Look – Mercedes-Benz 2027 C‑Class EV

Posted on 20 April 2026 by Ken Zino

The all-new 2027 Mercedes-Benz C 400 4MATIC Electric arrives at U.S. dealerships in the first half of 2027 as MBUSA (MBG.DE, MBGAF OTC U.S.) is posting sales declines and all global automakers are wrestling with the negative trade and war policies of the Trump mis-administration. [Makers are also facing a marked shift in consumer presences to hybrid vehicles – AutoCrat].

“The all-new electric C‑Class is redefining the mid-size segment for electric vehicles. Customers will get exactly what they expect from this new version of the beloved model: the perfect blend of performance, comfort, dynamics, and intelligence. On top of that, it is the most powerful and sportiest C‑Class we’ve ever built, offering pure driving pleasure and outstanding real-world range, all while being the perfect sanctuary for our customer,” claimed Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management, Mercedes‑Benz Group AG. Continue reading →

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